Ruan Shengpeng led a few people to the vicinity of the man's house. The five of them did not rush in directly, but instead found a secluded spot to park the car.
The five people, especially Ruan Shengpeng, were made up by Yao Tongjia to look like an old man with no threat. Of course, it was just a change of clothes and a wig.
Fortunately, Yao Tongjia brought a bag with her today. She took out cosmetics, wigs, and even clothes from it, so it didn't seem so abrupt. Of course, she took all of Ruan Shengpeng's clothes!
The other two simply took off their coats; thankfully, they were wearing sweaters underneath, so even if their pants were green, no one would suspect they were soldiers.
They divided the work and went to alleys around the area to inquire about the man. More than an hour later, they gathered the information in the car.
"It is said that he was extravagant and often went to state-run restaurants to get takeout, sometimes several boxes at a time, even rice, which he couldn't possibly finish by himself!"
"It is said that once he enters the yard, it is as if he does not exist. He really makes no sound. Once, someone next door was afraid that something would happen to him, so they specially sent a few people to knock on the door."
"No one answered the door for a long time. Someone brought a ladder and was about to climb in to see what was going on when this person came out looking angry and asked them if they were trying to trespass on someone's property?"
"It is said that his expression did not look like he was sleeping at all. He did not answer anyone's questions. He took a broom and chased everyone away. Since then, no one has paid any attention to him."
...
Xiao Gengwu looked at the information and concluded: "The food he prepared was definitely not for one person. There was no sound when he entered his house, so there must be a secret passage."
"He reacted quickly to someone breaking in, which means the secret passage isn't far from his house; it should be nearby. Oh, and there's another piece of information: apparently, the half of the house behind his house has been rented out, but no one has been living there."
"That means the target might be behind this house, or coming out of that house. There's only one way."
"What method?"
"Have the neighborhood committee staff come and check household registrations. Say there are migrant workers and they need to verify their identities. Each person needs either a household registration booklet or a letter of introduction!"
Yao Tongjia raised the question: "What if someone hides and never comes out?"
Xiao Gengwu said calmly, "I didn't expect her to come out openly. I'm just making a show of force to warn those hiding inside, so they'll feel unsafe and she'll naturally come out!"
This plan caught Ruan Shengpeng's eye. Sure enough, a smart person is smart no matter where they are. He couldn't help but say, "Why don't you come to the army? With your brains, you could be a strategist!"
To be the strategist of the commander-in-chief is an honor that not just anyone can attain, and this suggestion is undeniably attractive.
Xiao Gengwu didn't care: "Then go and talk to him, see if you can get me here!"
Ruan Shengpeng immediately backed down. If he went to speak, He Lao would probably scold him to death on the spot. Now is a time when talent is scarce. If he dares to bring Xiao Gengwu over, he might as well give up his position as commander-in-chief!
Finally, they left two guards there to observe, and to avoid drawing attention, they had the neighborhood committee arrange for a house to be rented there.
I arranged with the neighborhood office to have them check the household registrations, and asked two of his subordinates to help. At first, the people at the neighborhood office were reluctant, but after seeing Ruan Shengpeng's documents, they readily agreed!
After arranging everything, Xiao Gengwu requested, "Let's eat at a state-run restaurant nearby!"
Ruan Shengpeng shook his head: "Your mothers must have already cooked dinner. Let's go back and eat. I was in such a hurry when we left that I didn't tell your mother. She must be worried!"
Yao Tongjia, however, held her father's hand and said, "Let's go out to eat. Your mother knows your profession. She knows that you must have gone on a mission when you suddenly disappeared!"
Ruan Shengpeng was suddenly stopped by Yao Tongjia, and immediately said that whatever his daughter said was fine, and he could just find a chance to eat less later and have a late-night snack when they got back!
When they arrived at the state-run restaurant, there were very few people eating at this time. Xiao Gengwu went over to order, and then casually asked, "Did you see that man who used to come here to buy food every day today?"
The cashier casually replied, "Which man? We deal with so many people here every day, how would we know which one it is!"
"That's the guy who comes here every day to buy several bowls of rice and meat. He works for a newspaper, and I heard he makes a lot of money!"
When the cashier mentioned money, her eyes lit up and she knew immediately: "Oh, it's him. I know him. Ever since I started working here, he's been coming to buy food from me every day. I even asked him what company he works for, since he has so many receipts!"
"He does work for a newspaper, but some of his tickets are valid nationwide and indefinitely!" The cashier said, her eyes filled with envy.
The requirement for coupons to buy things is not so mandatory now. Before, you needed meat coupons and grain coupons to eat. But this person eats here every day and seems to have plenty of money and coupons!
How could the cashier not be envious? She once secretly asked him if he could exchange some national food coupons, as she happened to have a younger brother who was going out.
As a result, the man completely ignored the cashier. The cashier later refused to sell anything to him privately, but the man was rich and powerful and quickly went to buy from someone else. She could tell just by looking at the ticket!
"Did my older sister come today?"
"He hasn't come these past few days!" The older sister was a little dissatisfied. She had only asked him to exchange national grain coupons, but he wouldn't give her any. However, she later learned to be smarter. When he gave her national grain coupons, she would make up for it with local grain coupons.
She used the national food coupons to do favors, but her family gained several good relationships with others!
"I need his help with something. What does he usually buy here? Could you please tell me?"
Just as the cashier was about to refuse, Xiao Gengwu stuffed five yuan into her hand. This five yuan immediately shut her mouth, and she whispered to Xiao Gengwu what the person had ordered.
Finally, he muttered, "That person is so weird, he even eats wasabi. That stuff is awful, what's so good about it!"
These words confirmed Xiao Gengwu's thoughts. Just then, the food he ordered was ready, and he took it to the table.
Ruan Shengpeng said with disdain, "What are you babbling about? No wonder Little Pudding is so eloquent; it turns out you can actually have a conversation with someone!"
Xiao Gengwu usually didn't talk much, and Ruan Shengpeng always thought he was a man of few words!
Yao Tongjia knew what Xiao Gengwu was doing and didn't know how to speak here, so she put a piece of meat on Ruan Shengpeng's plate: "Eat braised pork, it's been a long time since I've had your braised pork!"
Ruan Shengpeng immediately forgot everything: "Then I'll make it for you tonight!"
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